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Councils do the following:
- Inform, instruct and inspire local units and be responsive to their needs
- Unify PTA activities in a community or school district with the consent of a majority of the units.
- Provide a way for local units to act together on projects that a single PTA could not accomplish alone.
- Undertake council projects only after a majority of the local units vote to support them. Each unit makes its own decisions about joining in a council project. Dissenting units may decide to go along with the majority or simply refrain from participation. Once the local units have adopted a project, the council is responsible for its completion.
Councils shall not do the following:
- Dictate to the local units.
- Legislate for the local units, including setting up rules for local units and taking action involving member units without their consent.
- Change council dues or amend council bylaws unless the local units, having been empowered to act for the members of their units, vote to do so.
- Duplicate the work or programs of the local units.
- Compete with local units.
- Encourage local units to enter into council projects.
- Assess local units for funds without their consent.
Activities
Through its contacts with school administrators, school board members and community groups, a council is aware of school and community conditions that affect children and youth and can serve as a two-way channel of communication with the public.
The council is in a position to offer a forum for the unbiased presentation and discussion of problems and issues that arise. After thorough study of a local matter and an affirmative vote by the majority of the council's local units the council may take a position in support for opposition to local issues that affect children and youth and work to achieve its goals.
Councils are often asked to support the projects and proposals of other community groups since councils are ideally situated to bring together the efforts of a number of organizations and agencies for the benefit of children and youth. Many times councils recognize a need and initiate a project prior to another agency's assuming responsibility for it.
Some areas of common concern among community organizations that might lead to cooperative projects include the following:
- Alcohol and substance abuse - education regarding the availability of alcohol and drugs: prevention programs.
- Child health and nutrition - well baby clinics; immunizations; school breakfast and lunch programs.
- Community facilities - recreation programs; libraries; continuing education for adults.
- Environmental concerns - toxic waste disposal and storage: energy conservation.
- Juvenile crime/justice laws related to juvenile offenses; violence and vandalism problems; shoplifting; child abuse; parents' responsibilities
- Public education - improvement of and support the public schools; tax structures; funding practices.
- Safety - "safe walk to school" plans; crosswalk placement and maintenance; speed limits near schools; bicycle safety; school bus safety; accident prevention.
Developing Leadership
An important task of a council is to develop and strengthen PTA leadership. It is vital that the council gives basic PTA training to local PTA leaders within its area. A school of information or workshop for local unit officers and chairmen should be held soon after their elections, Such a workshop serves to introduce council officers and chairmen to their local counterparts: to coordinate the efforts of people who serve in similar functions; and to share ideas and plans of work. which will enable them to function effectively
Throughout the year the council should offer opportunities for local PTA officers, chairmen, school personnel and other interested PTA members to learn in order that they can build a strong leadership team. Workshops might include classes on the following:
- Md. PTA and National PTA projects - ideas on implementation
- Parliamentary procedure - tips and procedure for presiding officers and audience members.
- Leadership training - methods of involving members in PTA activities and developing strong leaders.
- Current issues - education and views of interest to parents and teachers.
- PTA president and principal partnership - tips on how this team can spell success for the entire school.
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